Students gain unique educational experience at New York Fashion Week

As the fashion world converged in New York for Fashion Week, two University of South
Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management students were treated
to a one-of-a-kind educational experience thanks to a collaboration between the university,
Collegiate Licensing Company (the university’s exclusive trademark licensing agency),
and IMG’s fashion events division.

Retailing majors Victoria Randall and Meg Schwieterman and fellow Gamecocks Kelsey
Oh and Hanna Powers joined students from 11 other universities in the program, designed
to support innovation and the development of future leaders in the fashion industry.

The academic enrichment program provided a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry,
including entry into select runway shows, panel discussions and networking opportunities
with industry leaders, as well as on-the-job shadowing with collegiate licensees.

“I am so grateful (and honestly in shock) that I was able to attend New York Fashion
Week,” says Schwieterman. “I have never been inspired by anything as much as I have
been by this experience.”

The students experienced two NYFW runway shows, as well as backstage tours to observe
the production and execution of a fashion show. The group also participated in the
screening of the film “THE REMIX: Hip Hop x Fashion” and participated in a panel discussion
with director/producer Lisa Cortés and director Farah X.

In addition to New York Fashion Week: The Shows, the students also spent time with
key staff at sports fashion brand Champion and College Vault licensee Original Retro
Brand. The students also had an opportunity to visit collegiate jewelry licensee KYLE
CAVAN where they interacted with designers and marketers from the company, as well
as online fashion outlet Storr and licensee Hillflint.

“We are committed to delivering opportunities for future leaders in the industry to
engage and learn from others that know what it takes to be successful,” said Leslie
Russo, executive vice president, IMG Fashion Events.

Schwieterman and Randall competed with other UofSC students in a fashion blog for
the trip (provided at no cost to the students thanks to the partnership between the
university and CLC). Each student created a website or blog featuring licensed UofSC-themed
fashion items, and a panel of judges from the Department of Retailing faculty chose
the winners.

DEPARTMENT OF RETAILING

New York Fashion Week

Retailing majors Victoria Randall and Meg Schwieterman and fellow Gamecocks Kelsey
Oh and Hanna Powers joined students from 11 other universities in the program, designed
to support innovation and the development of future leaders in the fashion industry.